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September 22, 2012

Mercer steps up to regional

By Gregg A. Sims Washington Times Herald

WASHINGTON — When Washington’s Kayla Mercer strides to her first tee box at Eagle Valley in Evansville today, she would like to be thinking of a nice drive somewhere in the fairway with a good shot at the green on the way.

Mercer starts her regional round as an individual qualifier at 11 a.m. after qualifying from the Vincennes Sectional last Saturday with a round of 86.

The Washington senior is entered into a regional for a first time, but it was a time that was right.

“I’m mainly thinking about it being a good opportunity,” Mercer said before a practice round earlier this week. “

Mercer has seen Eagle Valley before. Washington played one of its first matches of the fall on the northern Evansville facility.

“I think I’ll do OK,” Mercer said. “Maybe because I’m not scared of sand traps. I’ve been in enough bunkers that I can get out of them.”

Getting into bunkers is not in the game plan, although the course has its fair share.

Mercer believes that once she gets into a scoring position, her shorter irons will give her scoring opportunities.

“I’ve cut down my backswing like Morris (Washington coach Morris Petty) has asked me to do for the past three years,” Mercer said. “I couldn’t feel the clubs when they got back too far. I think I’ve got that under control. I’ve been hitting my wedge and 9-iron well. My 9-iron is my favorite club. I really like using it as much as I can.”

She is also counting on improved putting coming in handy. The greens at Eagle Valley have size, and can be difficult when quicker.

“I think my putting is better,” Mercer said. “It’s gradually gotten better with a lot of practice.”

Being a senior, Mercer believes that makes the regional test perhaps more difficult.

She believes there can be more pressure, and is hoping she can keep her nerves under control at the beginning.

“There’s a lot of pressure, because it’s my last year,” Mercer said.

“I sometimes end up stressing myself out more than I want to. I’m not remembering all of the holes right now. If I did, I might be more nervous. I can only remember a few of the holes, the ones closest to the clubhouse.”

The 18th hole is a long par five that plays to an elevated, narrow green 20 or more feet above the fairway. The ninth hole is a lengthy par four with generous fairway bunkering, beginning in landing areas.

Both holes play into prevailing southwestern winds.

The first usually has wind behind the player on the par five, but a narrow opening between trees await about 100 yards from the green after fairway bunkers await to catch drives from an elevated tee.

“I remember the first hole and the ninth hole,” Mercer said. “They are pretty open. There’s not a whole lot of trouble you can get into. There are harder courses in my mind, like the course in Jasper (The City Municipal). The back nine is very difficult.”

No matter the result, Mercer is looking to enjoy the experience and the opportunity.

“I’ve just got to keep my head down, and just have fun and not over think things,” Mercer said. “Sometimes I overthink things too much. I’ve got to take it easy."

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